Fellow shadow existers but as enemies

"Thank you," Arga looked at his now-healed hand.

"It's nothing," Randiman replied.

They glanced around, their eyes sharp and alert.

Their expressions turned serious. Some were already preparing their magic circles.

A hidden magic circle—one invisible to their eyes—was already activated.

Something was heading toward them.

Only one person realized it—King Donov.

"Scatter!" King Donov shouted.

They didn’t understand his command. Why scatter? What was coming?

Randiman felt something.

Something was on its way.

He transformed his body into a whirlpool of water—

Encircling the entire alliance force.

Unfortunately, not all of the Earth Kingdom's allied forces made it within the whirlpool.

He wanted to protect everyone, but the whirlpool wasn't wide enough.

He thought of using his water dragon form, but his father’s words echoed in his mind—

That form should only be used when entering battle.

Forgive me, Father, Randiman thought.

He transformed into a serpent-like water dragon, his body as clear as crystal.

On his head grew horn-like crowns.

With that form, he wrapped around the entire Earth Kingdom’s allied army.

Something like a massive sword was charging toward them.

A sword the size of 25 grown men stacked vertically.

Escape was clearly impossible.

They were in the heart of a magical disaster zone.

If they ran, the chaotic winds would slow them down.

Their only option was to fight back—with magic.

But they didn’t know—

The environment was too sensitive.

Using magic might provoke a retaliation from the surroundings.

One soldier prepared a magic circle.

A black lightning bolt instantly shot toward him.

Dion began forming his own magic circle—

Regardless of the risk.

A green circle formed beneath his feet, vibrant like fresh leaves.

"Ground Deployment," Dion chanted.

The black lightning veered toward Dion—and vanished.

A dagger flew toward him next.

Randiman blocked it with his tail.

Pain surged from his tail up to his head.

"Looks like we’ll have to fight without magic here," Sudirja observed.

"Indeed," King Eldwäs added.

Despite that, Randiman maintained his dragon form.

He knew that if he reverted to humanoid form, no one would be able to protect the Earth Kingdom’s troops.

"Randiman, why are you protecting us? We’re not even allied yet," William asked.

"There’s no naïve reason like wanting to be a hero," Randiman, still in dragon form, looked at William.

"I just want to take advantage of your sheer numbers."

The giant sword approached.

Randiman swung at it with his body.

No one was struck.

But the sword returned.

Three dragons emerged from the ground—

Their appearance resembled Randiman.

"Prince, why are you protecting these humans?" asked one dragon, its horns like a mountain goat’s.

"Look at their hands," Randiman focused on fending off the massive sword.

"Weird bracelets," said the ram-horned serpent-dragon, eyeing the Earth Kingdom soldiers.

"I don’t know exactly what they do, but I believe the artifacts they wear could be useful," Randiman said—

And if he were in human form, he would’ve smiled.

"If that’s what the Prince believes," said a bull-horned dragon, joining in to help.

The Earth Kingdoms alliance remained still.

They couldn't act—not now.

Casting magic could cause devastating consequences—even death.

They weren’t fools.

They heard Randiman’s conversation with the three dragons.

They knew if they destroyed their artifacts, it might mean certain death.

"Sudirja," King Donov called.

"What is it?" Sudirja turned to him.

"Is there another function to this tech?" King Donov pointed to something on his wrist.

"Gravitational adjustment," Sudirja answered.

"How do you use it?" Donov asked.

Sudirja didn’t want to waste time on a lengthy explanation.

Instead of using words, he demonstrated it to the allied forces.

He tapped the screen of the device.

White texts appeared.

He turned the dial counter-clockwise.

The texts turned red.

He aimed his right hand—wearing the artifact—at the sword.

"Watch out!" Sudirja shouted toward Randiman.

Randiman didn’t understand why Sudirja yelled at him to dodge.

He looked over. Sudirja’s hand was pointing.

Behind him.

And the only thing behind him—was the giant sword.

The same one he had been blocking.

Randiman dodged quickly.

The sword surged toward Sudirja—

But suddenly—

The sword changed direction.

It slammed into the ground.

As if something pulled it down.

I don’t know what just happened, but it’s fascinating, Randiman thought.

If he had been in humanoid form, everyone would’ve seen his smile.

And perhaps, even known his thoughts.

The giant sword embedded in the ground vanished instantly.

"A magic sword," one of the soldiers muttered.

"I don’t think it was magical. It felt real," Dion responded.

"What makes you say that?" the soldier asked.

"I’m not sure. Just a gut feeling," Dion replied.

The three dragons, along with Randiman, returned to their humanoid forms.

They looked similar to Randiman—

But their attire made it clear—they were royal guards.

"Your Highness, will you continue following them?" asked one of the guards.

"Anyone object?" Randiman responded.

"No, Prince," the three guards replied.

"Good," Randiman smiled.

"Allow us to escort Your Highness," they requested.

"Is that my father’s order?" Randiman asked.

"Yes, Your Highness," they nodded.

"Very well," said Randiman.

"Are you joining us?" William asked to Randiman.

"Yes. After all, I came to the surface to investigate the chaos beneath the sea," Randiman replied.

"But why did the King of Rogobanyu send the crown prince himself?" Arjuna asked.

"This is a trial for the crown prince. It’s been our tradition among the Antasen," Randiman explained.

"Then why choose to join our investigation?" William continued.

"I’m intrigued by the artifacts you’re using," Randiman looked at Dion, pointing to an artifact on his arm.

"I don’t mind if you copy it. I’d actually be delighted," Sudirja added.

"Fascinating humans," Randiman smiled.

They continued walking—

Until they reached an area only lightly affected by the magical disaster.

There, standing before them, was a figure.

Definitely not human—

With two pairs of glowing red eyes,

Two pairs of arms,

Fanged teeth like a wolf,

Three goat-horns onto his head,

And eagle-like legs.

It was Jack Heritson—a former Shadow Exister turned demon.

"Wow, quite the party," Jack grinned.

"What did you do to this region?" William asked.

"Oh, just experimenting with an Artificial Living Area," Jack replied.

"A phrase only Shadow Existers would know…" whispered Sudirja.

"Yeah, no doubt about it. He’s one of them," whispered Dion.

"We’ll take you down!" Arga shouted.

"Ah, but I’m not your opponent today," Jack said with a grin. "That would be His Majesty, Sukmo Lawu."

Jack’s body burst into black flames—

And vanished.